Jaunted - Tag: John McCain

Phoenix: McCain Concedes Close To Home

egw — 2008-11-05T08:45:07-05:00

John McCain hushes a booing crowd during his concession speech at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix last night, flanked by running mate Gov. Sarah Palin.

Early punditry blamed the Arizona Senator's loss on a combination of tactical errors (including, some might say, the Palin pick), an inability to stick to a message that reached undecided voters and the shadow of President George W. Bush.

But McCain was all grace last night as he told a crowd, "I would not be an American worthy of the name, should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century."

Related Stories:
· For CNN, It's Never Over [NYT]
· McCain's Speech Last Night [JohnMcCain.com]
· Possible Presidents '08 coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: NYTimes.com]

Chicago: Obama Elected 44th US President After Long Slog

egw — 2008-11-05T08:00:07-05:00

Democrat Barack Obama took to a stage facing Chicago's Grant Park last night.

Obama was declared the president-elect shortly before 11 pm Eastern by the major networks and took Republican John McCain's concession call shortly after, before addressing supporters on the same ground where crowds turned into rioting mobs during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

Democrats also picked up seats in both houses of Congress in races largely shadowed by a long, expensive and bitterly fought presidential campaign. In fact, last night's coverage was everything the campaigns weren't: Cautious, measured and gracious. There have been no major calls for recounts yet, although delayed returns on California have both supporters and opponents of Proposition 8 mumbling about irregularities. 2008: The year C-A needed the recount?

Related Stories:
· Watch Obama's Speech From Grant Park [YouTube.com]
· [91% reported] Gay Marriage Ban Leading [LAT]
· Possible Presidents '08 coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: NYTimes.com]

Let's Get Political

pbb — 2008-11-04T17:15:07-05:00

Even travel obsessives like us are ready to call it a day--and start obsessing over election returns. We're not in the tank, but we are in awe of the fact that what's turned out to be a historic election--no matter who wins--is finally coming to an end. (We'll miss our Possible Presidents Map!)

Though a good chunk of the US is at a standstill, at least a few of our friends are in transit. Thus, we present the best ways to stay on top of things tonight while on the road--with nary a mention of Airport CNN but this one.

Presidential Street Art Round Up

Dan Gould — 2008-11-04T14:00:07-05:00

To celebrate the momentous occasion that is Election Day 2008 in America, we've rounded up some of the best presidential street art from the past few months. Artists of all types have chimed in with their take on the epic Obama-McCain battle.

From humorous approaches to straight out propaganda, check out our mini gallery while the votes roll in today.

Related Stories:
· Possible Presidents Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Street Art coverage [Jaunted]

Dixville Notch: You're Always A Day Away

egw — 2008-11-04T09:10:55-05:00

Today is the great nailbiter for people on both sides of the aisle. By tomorrow we'll know who will be our next president... Or will we? Anyone who still remembers falling asleep in front of the TV in 2000 is wary of any pat resolution.

Of course, for the tiny town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, there's nothing else to do but wait: The traditional first place in the nation to vote went for Barack Obama in the first rush of ballots. Polls opened at 6 am in most East Coast states

Want to celebrate or cry with your candidate of choice tonight? Obama supporters are amassing in Chicago's Grant Park tonight to count returns. It's ticketed to the tune of about 78,000, but the Sun-Times estimates 250,000 could rush the waterfront, so if you don't like crowds, stay home.

For John McCain, head to the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, in the shade of the gorgeous Camelback Mountains. There seems to be a little confusion over whether McCain will be outside on the lawn or in the grand ballroom, so make sure to arrive plenty early. The Biltmore has hosted every president since Herbert Hoover, and the hotel told the Arizona Republic they've got plenty of bubbly in reserve.

Related Stories:
· What to Expect for Obama's Grant Park Bash [Chicago Sun-Times]
· Obama Wins in Earliest Vote in Tiny Dixville, NH [AP, via Google]
· McCain to Shake Up Election Night Party at the Biltmore [HC]
· Resort Hosts McCain Camp, Prepares for Global Publicity [Arizona Republic]
· Scary, Scary Close [Jaunted]

[Photo: walknboston]

Election Eve

pbb — 2008-11-03T17:00:06-05:00

Well, America, the big vote is tomorrow. In fact, we thought today would be so full of breathless electoral predictions, there wouldn't be a sliver of travel news worth talking about.

Instead, there was all sorts of craziness, from bipartisan support for massive earthworks celebrating presidential aspirants to Ryanair's insistence that we'll be flying transatlantic for $13 (plus tax, natch) by 2009.

If the rumor mill can be trusted, that seems like the only price that can lead to success: The all biz class upstart OpenSkies might be having some money trouble of its own.

[Photo: Voz Over]

Scary, Scary Close

egw — 2008-11-03T13:35:26-05:00

How scary can an ordinary costume be when the Ghost of Elections Past is about?

In the last day before the election, the candidates aren't clowning around; the hours to stump are numbered, and the pundits are rustling their prep sheets in preparation for Tuesday night's opine-athon.

John McCain has already been through Florida, Tennessee and Pennsylvania this morning; he told the crowd in Tampa, "I need your vote, we need to bring real change to Washington." This afternoon he'll stop in Indianapolis, Roswell, New Mexico and Henderson, Nevada before hosting a midnight rally in Prescott, Arizona. They say the elderly need less sleep than the rest of us; we feel tired just looking at this frenetic schedule!